Middle School Curriculum Overview
At Our Lady of Mercy College, the Middle School Curriculum is designed to support students as they transition into secondary education, explore their interests and build strong academic foundations. We aim to nurture confident, curious learners who are ready to take ownership of their learning journey.
Year 7 The Next Step in Your Learning Journey
​Year 7 marks the beginning of high school and introduces students to a broad and balanced curriculum designed to build foundational skills and spark curiosity. Students engage in core subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), Religious Education, Health and Physical Education, Languages, and Digital Technology. These subjects provide essential academic grounding while fostering critical thinking and personal growth.
In addition to core learning, students begin to explore their individual interests through a variety of elective subjects. These include Arts options such as Dance, Media, Drama, Music, and Visual Arts, as well as Design Technologies like Materials Design Technology, Food Technology, Robotics, and Creative Engineering. This combination of core and elective subjects allows students to discover new passions and begin shaping their unique learning journey.
Year 8 Refining Interests Through Choice
In Year 8, students continue to strengthen their academic foundation through the study of core subjects while enjoying increased choice through the elective program. Throughout the year, students will study six electives, with three electives completed each semester. Elective classes are undertaken for two periods per week and provide opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop new skills and broaden their learning experiences.
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Students can choose from a wide range of electives across the Arts and Technologies learning areas, including Performing Arts (Dance, Drama and Music), Visual Arts and Media Arts, Digital Technologies, Design Technologies, Food, Textiles, STEM and other specialist offerings. These experiences encourage students to discover their strengths, pursue their passions and begin exploring future pathways in a supportive and engaging learning environment.
Year 9 Deepening Focus
​In Year 9, students continue to build on their academic foundation through core subjects while gaining greater autonomy in their learning by selecting semester-long electives that reflect their personal interests. These electives span a variety of areas, including Visual Arts (with options in Visual or Media Arts), Digital Technologies (such as Materials Design Technology or Food Technology), Performing Arts (including Dance, Music, and Drama), and STEM. This stage of learning encourages students to explore their passions, develop new skills, and begin shaping their educational pathways in a supportive and engaging environment.
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Year 10 Refining Interests Through Choice
Year 10 marks the beginning of each student's Senior School journey, an important year of exploration and informed decision-making. During this time, students begin to consider the pathways they may pursue in Years 11 and 12, supported by a curriculum that encourages them to discover their interests, strengths and future aspirations.
Students follow a structured timetable while selecting four elective subjects, completing two electives in Semester 1 and two in Semester 2. Each elective is studied for two lessons per week, providing students with the opportunity to explore a range of learning areas, develop new skills and gain valuable insight into potential senior school courses and future career pathways.
The range of electives offered each year is determined by student interest and the College's capacity to deliver each course. This flexible approach ensures students have access to meaningful learning opportunities while supporting informed subject selection for Years 11 and 12.
